A dolphin has been spotted swimming in the River Medway.
Stephanie Hillier captured pictures of the mammal surfacing the water near Rochester Bridge yesterday (June 14) afternoon.
There is only thought to be one. Picture: Stephanie Hillier
The 35-year-old said: “I went specifically to look for it as I had seen some people mentioning it was there online.
“I am a dolphin enthusiast, so if I could see one on my doorstep, then I had to try.
“There have been reports over the years of dolphins in the river, but every time I have missed them, so it was quite emotional to see one.
“I was not expecting to be so successful, but it was right there in the water. It was moving very fast and coming up erratically in different areas.
“When I have wanted to see dolphins before, I have had to go to the south west or abroad, so to finally be able to see one in my hometown was really nice.”
It is not the first time a dolphin has been seen in the River Medway. Picture: Stephanie HillierStephanie saw the dolphin near Rochester Bridge. Picture: Stephanie Hillier
Stephanie, from Gillingham, said it is quite unusual for only one of the mammals to be found and thinks it could have become lost or separated from its pod.
She has since warned people from trying to approach it if they see it in trouble and said to instead contact the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, whose volunteers are understood to be monitoring it.
Eagle-eyed visitors first reported seeing the dolphin, which is thought to be a juvenile, in the river three days ago.
Marcel Fernandes saw it in the water near Ship Lane, in Chatham, on Friday (June 13) evening.
He said: “I heard there was a dolphin there the day before, so I went down at 6pm. I was very surprised to get as clear a shot as I did.”
Marcel saw the dolphin near Ship Lane, in Chatham. Picture: Marcel FernandesIt was seen in the river at around 6pm on Friday. Picture: Marcel Fernandes
It is not the first time dolphins have been seen in the River Medway.
In October, around 20 to 30 of the animals were filmed gliding through the water near Hoo.
Last February, two of the creatures were seen near the Command House pub in Chatham.
Common dolphins can be found in waters all around the UK, but are more common in the southern and western coastal areas.